He's known around the region as the man who brought our Mountain Warriors home safely from Iraq.

In the final part of our veterans series, a longtime Kentucky National Guard soldier shares a special message to other veterans.

During his 22 years in the Army National Guard, Lieutenant Colonel John Luttrell led combat tours in Panama, Desert Storm, and Iraq.

“I've seen enough death and destruction to last ten lifetimes,” LTC John Luttrell said.

But in all three tours, the Harlan native never lost one of his soldiers.

“It's not anything that I did, it's just the good lord blessing me to be able to take those men over and bring them back home.” Luttrell said.

His largest homecoming came in September 2007. Luttrell's oldest son was one of the 634 National Guard soldiers under his command during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thousands welcomed them home in Rupp Arena.

“To walk in to that crowd, and the emotion and the energy of that crowd I don't think I could put it in words,” Luttrell said.

But the commander's battles were not over.

The mental scars of war took their toll, and Luttrell struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“I learned that I'm not superman. I'm not as strong as I thought I was,” Luttrell said.

Luttrell says his wounds are still healing.

The man with a list of military honors including three Bronze Stars wants other soldiers to know, it's okay to ask for help.

“We're taught in the military, especially in the infantry, to be so stoic, and after you've been to combat you think, 'well, I've been to combat and survived that, I can do anything.' and it's just not true,” Luttrell said.

Luttrell is taking medical retirement this year, but never regrets the sacrifices he made.

“Proud to be an American, proud to be a veteran, wouldn't change it, would do it over again in a heartbeat, and if I were physically and mentally able, I'd go again,” Luttrell said.

Luttrell is enjoying time with his family this Fourth of July. He has a simple request for Americans: find a veteran, and say 'Thank you.'

Lieutenant Colonel John Luttrell's two younger sons are also following in his footsteps.

We are bringing back a daily feature on Mountain News called Defenders of Freedom.

All you have to do is mail or email a picture of your loved one, along with their name and where they are stationed.

We hope to begin this feature in the next couple of weeks.